I do some yoga almost every morning, so I'm not getting ever getting on the bike with stiff back or legs. For a while I got sloppy about after-ride stretching, mostly because when I get back there's always at least nine things I neglected to ride in the first place that gang up on me as soon as I hop off the bike. But I really felt I was paying a price for that in my mobility, plus the stretching is so deep and lovely after a ride. Since I quickly face inclines in any direction I ride, if the weather is chilly, I warm up with a short walk around the churchyard next door. Both my legs and lungs appreciate it.

The trainer I work with is a DEMON about stretching post-ride, which is probably one of the reasons he's in England now for the Masters' World Championships. At 55 he moves with more grace than most 20somethings.